RUGBY: Tom’s try delight

om Dunn charges over the line for his first Bath try during the 53-8 win over Bucharest Wolves on Saturday (Picture by Mervyn Clingan/takingpictures-sport.co.uk)

STUDLEY’S Tom Dunn is in dreamland after grabbing his first try for Bath on his full debut at the Rec last Saturday.

The 20-year-old former Sheldon School pupil, who is currently a University of Bath scholar, barged his way over the line just 13 minutes into his first senior start against Bucharest Wolves, helping his side maintain their 100 per cent record in the Amlin Cup with a 53-8 victory.

With family and friends watching on from the stands, the former Chippenham man continued to impress Bath’s coaching staff in his quest to carve out a full-time career at the Rec.

“I didn’t start the game too well and knocked the ball on quite early on but it didn’t take long to get in the zone – when you’re playing, you just block everything out,’’ said hooker Dunn, who is currently studying for a degree in sports performance.

“I’d known since last Tuesday that I was going to be starting so I did everything I could to get extra tickets. I ended up with ten and everyone was there like my mum, my dad and my brother and his girlfriend.

“It was great and scoring made it pretty much a dream debut – it was another fantastic experience.

“I had to miss training once last week because I had an exam but I’ve got a bit of a break with my work now so I should be able to carry on concentrating on improving at Bath.”

Bath head coach Gary Gold, who handed Dunn his first opportunity in the victory over Italian side Calvisano in December, described Dunn as a “revelation”.

“He played in ‘A’ league games and impressed us there and in training and he is the story that makes this job really worthwhile,’’ said Gold.

“He’s an example to current fully-fledged professionals, in as much as he still epitomises the values of the game.

“He just wants to play. For him to play for Bath is a massive honour and he doesn’t earn any money doing it.

“You want to reward players like that. I’ve said to him that if he’s the best hooker then we’re picking him.

“He’s only been training (as a hooker) for three months, but Dunny is a revelation and a great work in progress.’’